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Acute vs. chronic compressive neuropathy
Author(s) -
Miller Robert G.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.880070602
Subject(s) - medicine , weakness , denervation , pathophysiology , peripheral neuropathy , chronic pain , anesthesia , surgery , physical therapy , diabetes mellitus , endocrinology
Studies of the management of acute and chronic compressive peripheral neuropathies have not kept pace with advances in our understanding of the pathophsiology of these disorders. In this review, the pathophysiological differences between acute and chronic compressive neuropathy are reviewed from experimental models as well as from clinical examples in humans. It is concluded that surgical intervention is unlikely to alter significantly the course of recovery in acute compressive neuropathies. Similarly, in chronic compressive neuropathies without progressive weakness, conservative treatment is indicated because of the high incidence of spontaneous improvement. However, in patients with progressive weakness, especially in conjunction with electrophysiological evidence of partial denervation or conduction block (but not simply slowing of nerve conduction), surgical treatment is recommended.